Waratah Israel Folau could be Wallabies coach Robiie Deans' saviour

NaN:aN

ISRAEL Folau's chances of an immediate pass into the Wallabies have lifted as Test boss Robbie Deans coaches for his survival.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones yesterday said the pressure Deans is now under would see rugby rookie Folau rushed straight into a Test start against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane in June.

According to Jones, the gamble to play a 105kg game-breaker like Folau will be taken earlier than if Deans could plan with multi-year security in the job.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Folau could save "Dingo" Deans his job, which will be under review at the end of the year.

"Deans is coaching for survival and his targets will all be very immediate," said Jones.

"Deans has to win the series against the Lions. If Izzy is the best fullback or showing he could be, he will be donning the gold jersey straight away against the Lions."

What all the fuss is about will become clearer tonight at Suncorp Stadium when Folau makes his Super Rugby debut at fullback for NSW Waratahs in an intense collision with the Queensland Reds.

Deans will be in the stands watching the first-gamer, who could help transform the try-scoring rate of the Wallabies who laboured with just 12 in as many Tests last year.

Deans has already overseen the measured Wallaby debuts of two converts from the NRL, Timana Tahu (2008) and Cooper Vuna, who had his Test blooding last year after 16 months settling in to a new code.

Neither are in Folau's league. Folau's AFL stint means he can kick, whereas predecessor Wendell Sailor high-kicked better on the dance floor than in games.

"Izzy was a top-class league player who found the ball, he has pace and, importantly in today's game, has height which gives him a physical advantage in the high-ball stakes," Jones said.

"He's an absolute no-brainer to be successful in rugby."

Folau, 23, will be better in his third game than his first, so there is only a skinny window for the Reds to exploit.

If Queensland need to be wary of any player it is Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu, a smash runner on interstate nights who finished off the Reds with key tries in the conquests at Suncorp Stadium in 2008 and 2010.